“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Luke 1:45 (This past week we celebrated our One-year “Birthday”! After being “pregnant” with the dream for fifteen years, Better Off Read Ministries was born in December of 2011. I thought it would be fitting to repost Birthing A Dream, which … Continue reading Birthing A Dream-Revisited→
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV (I recently came across this post on Facebook and was greatly inspired by it. It is a wonderful account of encouragement, faith and grace by Jessica Byrum, who is my cousin, Alegre’s friend. Jessica’s husband, Chris was in a horrific motorcycle … Continue reading Rebirthday Gratitude→
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 For quite some time now, I have pondered why it is that Thankfulness is … Continue reading With Thanksgiving→
For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself. Hebrews 13:8 MSG Our youngest daughter is very unique. While many kids try to hide their disobedience or lie about what they have done wrong, she comes to us and asks to be punished. Just about nine times out of ten, no punishment is necessary … Continue reading Unfailingly Unchanging→
They will bear fruit even when old and gray; they will remain lush and fresh. Psalm 92:14 CEB Samuel Ullman penned these words in his poem Youth: “Youth is not a time of life – it is a state of mind . . . Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. People … Continue reading A Twinkle In Your Wrinkle→
We must remember what the Lord Jesus said, ‘We are more happy when we give than when we receive.’ Acts 20:35 NLV It was more exhilarating than a roller coaster ride! Pure joy! As we stuffed the cash in the blank envelope and drove to the home of a family who were having financial troubles, I could barely … Continue reading Random Acts of Happiness→
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Galatians 6: 7-8 For this week’s post, I had planned on doing a light-hearted humorous piece … Continue reading Petty Theft→
My darling, you are lovely, so very lovely— Song of Songs 4:1 CEV A recent study done by psychologist, Ann Kearney-Cooke, Ph.D, showed that 97% of women have body image issues. On average, women have 13 negative body thoughts daily. A disturbing number of women reported having 30, 50 or even 100 hateful thoughts a … Continue reading You Are Lovely→
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27 In the early 1950’s the radio broadcast, This I Believe, entertained listening audiences all over our nation. Inspiring essays of belief and personal motivation written by both celebrities and ordinary people were read … Continue reading This I Believe→
Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable. Proverbs 31:8 CEB The following is a letter which contains some things we have wanted to say at one time or another to a relative, friend, parishioner, teacher or other professional that has worked with or spent time with our Special-needs children. In the nineteen years … Continue reading To Whom It May Concern→
Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 MSG)